International Women’s Day Special with Dr Cathy Foley

In our first-ever episode of Shape Our Future, a special audio-only edition of Shape Your Future where high school students interview Australia's top scientists, Year 11 students Crystal and Lexy Shears interview Australia’s former Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

From growing up in Sydney to leading science at the CSIRO and serving as Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist (2021–2024), Dr Foley shares how curiosity, resilience and the right mentors shaped her career in physics.

She explains her groundbreaking work in superconductors and quantum magnetic sensors - technology that has helped discover billions of dollars’ worth of mineral deposits - and reflects on leading science through COVID-19, the future of STEM careers, and why perseverance matters more than brilliance.

Now President of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Dr Foley outlines her vision for Australia’s scientific future: evidence-based policy, stronger STEM pathways, and turning world-class research into national prosperity.

Key Themes

• Women in STEM
• Superconductors & quantum sensing
• Science leadership during COVID
• Resilience in research
• The future of Australian innovation

“I would love to say I’m a mega brain. I’m not. I’m just regular - but I love science” - Dr Cathy Foley

🎧 Tune in to hear how science truly helps shape our future.

Useful Links

• Cathy Foley: President, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering - https://atse.org.au/about-us/governance/council/president/
• STELR (Science and Technology Education Leveraging Relevance) - https://stelr.org.au
• Nobel Prize in Physics 2014 - Blue LEDs & Nitride Semiconductors - https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2014/summary/
• Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 – Quantum tunnelling, featuring Cathy’s friends John Clarke and John Martinis - https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2025/summary/
• Quantum Technologies & Sensing (CSIRO overview) - https://www.csiro.au/en/research/technology-space/quantum-technology

In this episode of the Shape Your Future education series from ATSE, our panel of experts and emerging leaders in STEM celebrate International Women's Day by discussing the importance of "balancing the scales." The panel shares personal stories of navigating non-linear career paths, the importance of supportive organizational cultures, and how a diversity of voices is essential for solving the world's most complex challenges—from radio astronomy to property management in mining.

Host: Professor Kylie Walker AM (CEO of ATSE)

Moderator: Dr Sarah Pearce FTSE (Director of the SKA Low Telescope) [05:40]

Guests:

• Maria Reyes - Property Lead at Orica and Civil Engineer [16:30]
• Cynthia Feng - PhD Candidate at the University of Sydney researching "brain rot" and social media [26:55]

1. Non-linear career paths

• Dr Sarah Pearce [09:40]: Despite a PhD in astronomy, Sarah's path included working as a science advisor in the UK Parliament and a project manager in particle physics at CERN before leading Australia's largest science project.
• Maria Reyes [22:30]: Shifted from road infrastructure and residential development in Colombia to managing a massive property portfolio for a global mining company in Australia.
• Cynthia Feng [28:05]: Originally focused on the humanities (Latin, History, Legal Studies), Cynthia transitioned into psychology and data analytics, proving that STEM skills can be mastered later in life.

2. Overcoming Challenges & Breaking Myths

• Maths as a Tool, Not a Barrier [29:50]: Cynthia discusses overcoming her fear of mathematics by treating it as a language for problem-solving rather than a natural-born talent.
• The Power of Asking for Help [45:41]: Both Maria and Cynthia emphasize that no one works in a vacuum; success comes from collaborating with teams and having the courage to ask questions.
• Authenticity in Research [43:36]: Cynthia reflects on her experience as a queer researcher and the importance of being authentic to oneself while navigating structured academic expectations.

3. Workplace Support & Diversity

• Supportive Environments [15:57]: Sarah highlights how working remotely and part-time while her children were young allowed her to sustain a high-level career.
• Safety and Regulations [41:44]: Maria shares how Australia’s regulated mining industry provides a safe environment for her as both an immigrant and an expectant mother.

• "Without women asking the questions and coming up with the answers, we can't hope to address all the difficult issues we need to be looking at." - Dr Sarah Pearce [08:19]
• "You don't know what you like until you try... it is okay to discover what you are really interested in on the way." - Maria Reyes [22:31]
• "I see STEM as a framework or a way of thinking about the world and getting answers... a set of skills and tools that anyone can learn." - Cynthia Feng [33:24]

• STELR Program: ATSE’s national STEM education initiative – www.stelr.org.au
• SKA Telescope: Learn more about the world's largest low-frequency radio telescope – www.skao.int
• ATSE (Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering): www.atse.org.au

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfi9qY5GKYM

From revolutionising the mining industry with gold-detecting X-rays to the production of life-saving nuclear medicines, this panel of experts breaks down the stereotypes of nuclear science, shares their unusual career journeys, and discusses how nuclear physics is a powerful tool for global health, security and industrial innovation.

Host: Elvira Copur (Membership Manager at ATSE)

Moderator: Dr James Tickner FTSE (Co-founder and CTO of Chrysos Corporation)

Guest:

• Meg Hennessy - Licensing Officer at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Nuclear Medicine

1. Careers in nuclear physics

• Just as electricity has multiple uses, nuclear science has two main branches [05:24].
• It’s not just theoretical "atom smashing" at CERN and DESY, there’s applied science that solves real-world problems [09:12].
• Understanding the intersection of engineering and medicine as a career passion [15:25].

2. Innovation in industry & medicine

• Toxic chemical processes in mining being replaced with high-energy X-rays [03:26] - https://chrysoscorp.com/photonassay/.
• Nuclear isotopes are used to diagnose and treat serious illnesses [20:28].
• The reality of working at Australia's only nuclear reactor [26:11] - ANSTO - OPAL Multipurpose Reactor.

3. Global impact & success

• STEM is a global passport that will take you to many countries for work [11:11].
• Challenges of convincing an entire industry to move toward clean, modern technology [37:11].

4. Advice for students & early career researchers [25:01]

• The importance of resilience and opportunities to find dream career pathways later in life.
• Scientists need to be good writers and speakers to persuade others and lead teams.
• Following curiosity is the most important trait for a budding scientist
• It’s important to build networks to succeed as a young professional - https://www.ausygn.org

"Physics is for everyone... find the way your brain works - whether you love living things, the chemical world, or thinking visually—and let that shape your career." - Dr James Tickner

"In science, if you're not winning, you're learning. Every wrong avenue teaches you something new." - Meg Hennessy

• IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship: Global program for women in nuclear science – iaea.org
• STELR Program (www.stelr.org.au): ATSE’s national STEM education initiative for schools
• Elevate Scholarship (atse.org.au/elevate): A leadership scholarship supporting women in STEM, which Vanessa currently holds.
• IMNIS Program (www.imnis.org.au): An industry mentoring network for PhD students.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNXyH31dnpw